What is Salvation?

Many times in life, we often attribute certain events to destiny, to fate. We say that such things could not have been prevented; that certain things were bound to happen. If we were to take a purely logical standpoint, one could say that all occurrences are the result of causes, known or unknown. If such is the case, are our struggles pre-determined, such that whatever action we are currently taking was already decided? In such a way, why do we struggle to attain our desires if so much of our lives is attributed to destiny? Is it pointless to wish for things, to strive for things?

All things are born, live, and eventually die. That's all there is to it. That's simply the truth of this world and all who live within it. No matter how hard you try or how long you strive, that fact will not change. Everyone else forgets this; I shall never forget. Yet, all that means is that I'ev never forgotten the true meaning of a life such as mine.

But everyone strives for something. By continuing living, we are actively choosing to continue to pursue something, even if that something is as simple as continuing to live. Yet, what are we to do when we find out that our wishes will not be fulfilled? What do we do when we find that it was destined that our wishes would not be fulfilled?

Life is like walking through a maze: There are always many paths to choose from; we simply choose one and follow it. Everyone believes that what they desire lies ahead along their path. Yet, I do so only to confirm that what we desire is not there.

Who decided that life would be like that? What did they truly decide? What if that which we desire was along a path that we did not choose?

Time will continue and eventually run out as you ponder your question. A path not chosen is the same as a path that did not exist. "If only at that time..." No matter how many times we look back with regret, we cannot go back. We cannot return to how we once were. We cannot change anything. All we can do is continue moving forward towards our uncertain future. "Some time other than now... Some place other than here..." Will you struggle along that path for all eternity, in search of what you desire? How unfortunate.

Are you saying there's no salvation?

What is salvation? Is it for all your hopes and dreams to come true? "Things should not have become like this..." you say. Is salvation the ability to turn back time and grant all the wishes that you lost? Given that, can you be certain that you will not make a mistake the second time? Who decided this? What did they decide?

If we cannot go back, then we must start on the correct path from the beginning. What one can do and what one should do, shall become one and the same. That's because we know ourselves best.

...

For those of you who don't know me, I'm marginally insane. The preceding was a Platonic dialogue (an idiot asking questions, being answered by an enlightened person) between Gilbert Durandal (and myself to an extent) and Rau Le Creuset from the anime Gundam Seed Destiny. The dialogue (with a few edits on Gilbert's part from me) comes almost entirely from GSD episode 29, which I posted the last 1/3 of in my second post on this blog. You may recognize a lot of the lines, as I have a tendency to use them in other posts regarding my philosophies about life, as well as in my Facebook profile and sometimes just when I'm talking with my friends. As I've said before, anime has had a profound affect on me in many respects, with this dialogue being one of the most salient. But I believe if you truly read the words, think about them, and analyze their meanings, you will see their truth. That there is no inherent "goal" nor "purpose" in life; we choose those for ourselves. And even if we make a difficult choice and hurt someone, that was still an active choice. Even if you don't watch the entire series, go to Youtube and watch GSD episode 29, "Fates." (It may be a little confusing, but it's worth it). Part 1 Part2 Part 3